CHEEKY Devil Man United stars welcomed back Cristiano Ronaldo yesterday — with a REAL MADRID shirt.
The pranksters had his name and number 7 etched on to the kit — and drew an X through it to signify he isn’t heading to the Spanish side.
Portuguese winger Ronaldo, 23 — who has pledged his future to the Old Trafford side for this season at least — fell about laughing when presented with it at training.
He vowed to keep it with his other footie mementos.
Hilarious
Last night a club source said: “It was hilarious. The lads wanted Cristiano to know there was no tension after all the transfer talk.
“They sorted the shirt out earlier this week and couldn’t wait to give it to him when he reported back for duty. Cristiano took it in very good spirit.
“The lads love playing pranks on each other — don’t forget Rio Ferdinand even did his own TV show of wind-ups — and this was up there with the best.”
Ronaldo arrived at the Premier League champions’ Carrington HQ in his Ј100,000 silver Bentley. He is waiting for his new Ј340,000 Rolls Royce Phantom to be delivered, as revealed by The Sun yesterday.
He was accompanied by his Lisbon-based doctor after undergoing surgery on his right ankle.
The goal poacher will miss the start of the season — including tomorrow’s Community Shield match between the Red Devils and Portsmouth.
The insider said of the shirt: “It was the perfect way to put an end to all the speculation about whether Ronnie was going or staying.
“He’s a big hit in the dressing room and the lads are delighted to have him back.”